But I did spend a lot of time in 1996 and 1997 with a Russian engineer who took over a huge construction company in Vladivostok when Russia allowed the firm to be privatized. I was making some business links between the Russian engineer and some U.S. companies which were in the steel frame housing field.
The Russians were largely still under the impression that earthquake resistant meant concrete walls 2 feet thick. This is what they thought would insulate buildings the best, too. (wrong!)
The Russian was not convinced about the benefits of steel frame anything, and so we took a ride.
We made a visit together to a new medium rise office complex in Vladivostok built by the Koreans. It was all steel ‘C’ channel frame, with the floors being corrugated steel mat sheets, over poured with cement. The Koreans tried to explain the seismic engineering in the built in flex capability of the structure. And the building was pillared on a shock absorber system. The Koreans had a most impressive presentation. I was convinced.
The Russian would never admit to being convinced in my presence, but later bought steel frame housing packages from Arizona.
Fascinating.
Thanks.